Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders Prediction, 12/7/2023 NHL Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Columbus Blue Jackets vs New York Islanders

Date: Thursday, December 7, 2023

Location: UBS Arena in Elmont, NY

TV: MSG

Odds/Point Spread: Blue Jackets (+175) Islanders (-220)

The Columbus Blue Jackets (8-14-5) are hitting the road to UBS Arena on Thursday where they will take on the New York Islanders (10-7-7). The moneyline on this contest has Columbus at +175 and New York is at -220. The total comes in at 7.

The Columbus Blue Jackets were on the losing side of the ice with a 4-3 loss to the Kings their last time on the ice. Columbus compiled 4 penalty minutes for this matchup. In addition, they had 1 power play opportunity and notched 1 goal. The Blue Jackets had a middle of the road offensive performance in this defeat. While out there on the ice, they converted 3 out of the 29 shots they put on goal.

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While at even strength, the Blue Jackets have conceded 81 goals while scoring 66 as an offensive unit. Columbus Blue Jackets opponents have totaled 78 power play opportunities (19th in the NHL) and have come away with 10 goals in those chances. When discussing their scoring capabilities, the Columbus Blue Jackets have notched 77 goals (15th in the National Hockey League) on the campaign and have given up 91. Columbus has taken 808 shots and holds a shot percentage of 9.5%. For the current campaign, the have a total of 21 points and their points percentage is .389. The Blue Jackets have had 913 shots tried against them and hold a save percentage of .900. Columbus comes into tonight with 80 power play chances and they have tallied 11 goals during those advantages, garnering them a percentage of 13.75%.

Patrolling the crease for the game will be Elvis Merzlikins. Opponents have scored 483 goals versus Merzlikins in his NHL career and his average for goals against per game is 3.13. Merzlikins has been in net for 169 contests throughout his pro hockey career. He has a save percentage of .906 in his 9,258 mins in the crease. He has amassed a record of 61-70-26 and he started in 156 games. In his career, Merzlikins has accrued 76 quality starts and his quality starts rate sits at .487. Merzlikins has had 5,162 shots taken against him and has amassed 4,679 saves.

Their last time out, New York faced off against the Sharks in a game where the Islanders took the loss by a final of 5-4. The Islanders scored 4 goals out of the 39 shots on goal they took. They had 3 chances on the power play in this matchup and netted 2 out of those chances.

On the campaign, the New York Islanders have earned a total of 68 goals, 27 points, in addition to a points percentage of .563. They have permitted 77 goals to be scored by way of 57 goals at even strength and 20 goals while they had less men on the ice. The Islanders have racked up 51 goals at even strength and 17 goals (15th in pro hockey) while on the power play. They have a total of 67 chances on the power play and they have a power play rate of 25.37%. New York has attempted 711 shots (23rd in hockey) and has earned a shooting percentage of 9.56%, while allowing their opponents 861 shots. They have earned a penalty kill rate of 73.33% on their opponents 75 power play opportunities, and their save percentage currently sits at 91.1%.

Across the ice you are likely to see Ilya Sorokin defending the net. His opponents are averaging 2.43 goals/game and he has relinquished 361 goals overall. Sorokin's percentage of quality starts sits at 69.1% and he has earned 103 quality starting assignments in his pro career. He has started in 149 contests and has played for a total of 8,908 minutes. Sorokin has amassed a career record of 76-50-24 and has participated in 152 contests. He has accounted for 4,268 stops out of 4,629 shots tried, which gives him a save percentage of .922.

Who will win tonight's NHL game against the spread or moneyline?

Josh's Pick: Take New York (-220)

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